Judge Christopher Ball QC ordered that Johnson, now of Brookfields House, Datchet, Slough, must serve a minimum term of 28 years.

A jury at Chelmsford Crown Court also found his co-accused, Paul Sultana, 45, of Green Lane, Ilford, guilty of murder and robbery.

Sultana will serve a minimum term of 25 years before being able to apply for parole.

The court heard during a trial how Mr Woodhouse had staggered to his nearby home and rang the doorbell before collapsing after being stabbed.

He died the next day in Southend Hospital from a stab wound to the heart.

Sentencing, Judge Ball said: “This was a pre-planned attack. The two of you drove to Westcliff with the intent to rob Steven Woodhouse, I have no doubt. The two of you got to the yard and trapped him inside it.

“Your plan was to trap him, overpower him and grab his stash of cannabis, you waited until he got back – a couple of minutes – and you knew he might need restraining. You, Johnson, brought a knife to the scene.

“When you arrived, Steven Woodhouse resisted and there was a ruckus, you were in that scrum and he was fatally stabbed and you raided his cannabis factory and coolly walked away with your loot.”

Judge Ball said the courts were seeing more cases of people who were “prepared by any means” to further their business in drug matters.